Automatic puppeteer



March 13, 1962 OPPENHEIM 3,024,551

AUTOMATIC PUPPETEER Filed Jan. 22, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Ralph Oppenhem 1M ATTORNEY March 13, 1962 Filed Jan. 22, 1959 R. OPPENHEIM AUTOMATIC PUPPETEER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fiaZp/a Oppen heim W ATTORNEY March 13, 1962 R. OPPENHEIM 3,024,551

I AUTOMATIC PUPPETEER Filed Jan. 22, 1959 5 h heet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 13, 1962 R. OPPENHEIM 3,024,551

AUTOMATIC PUPPETEER Filed Jan. 22, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR .Ralph Oppenheim BY d M ATTORNEY March 13, 1962 R. OPPENHEIM 3,024,551

AUTOMATIC PUPPETEER Filed Jan. 22, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR f Opperakem BY g ATTORNEY states 3,924,551 Patented Mar. 13, 1962 free 3,024,551 AUTQMATHC PUPPE'EEER Ralph Oppenheim, ,69 W. 10th St, Newycrlr, N.Y. Filed Jan. 22, 1959, Ser. No. 788,351 Claims. (Cl. til- 106.34)

This invention relates to an automatic puppeteer, and more particularly to a powerized marionette operating assembly, and still more particularly to an automatic assembly for string control ofmarionette figurines.

Known to me is the attempt to simulate animation in figurines or 'marionettesto effect movement thereof by cally directed components to the gravitationally suspended marionettes, which minimized the extent of the performance movement, in no way providing the flexibility and fluidity and naturalness of movement and gymtions possible with human operation of marionettes.

Known to me also is the attempt to provide powerized puppeteering or animation of mari onettes to secure the combinedcomponents of vertical, horizontal, transverse or rotative movement employing push-pull rigid actuating components. These endeavors have involved such complex mechanical expedients as to limit the figurines in'that the actuating linkage was obviously detectible and caused obstructive'interference in the use of a range of puppeteering performers customarily within the realm possible in the hands of a skilled human'puppeteer.

Accordingly, this invention has for its object the provision of a puppeteering assembly which may be automatically and cyclically operated under the motivation of powerized means, in which-theflexibilityw and fluidity of performance employing string means, with its known benefits, to actuate the marionettes is retained, and to provide upon a stage, a desired sequence and repetitive cycles thereof, characterized by'the flexibility, fluidity of movement, versatility of performance to secure horizontal, vertical, oblique and rotartive directional movements or combinations thereof of the puppets, heretofore achieved only by live puppeteers, but which, when performed automatically and cyclically, makes the assembly useful in mechanical displays or inpresenting thepuppet performance as part of a program of. filming the puppet show for motion picture or television performance.

More specifically, it isan object of this invention to provide, in combination with powerized means, of stringing controls for the marionettes which are directed to achieve a high degree of flexibility and fluidityof movement of the marionettes strung on a stage, by subjecting the strings animating the marionettes to components of forces ellective under the influence of timed powerized means, in relation to relatively stationary anchoring strings, whereby to give to the marionettes horizontal, vertical, rotative and oblique and other directional motion, and to simulate animation of the limbs or other portions of the figures, with a high degree of realism, all of which may be performed continuously and cyclically by powerized means, in the absence of control of live puppeteers.

' In more specific phases of this invention, it is an object'thereof toprovide a system of stringing under the automatic influence of .powerized means whereby a high degree of flexibility of the marionettes is secured by time controlled, cam actuated levers to which the stringing components are affixed, which effect a stringing control counter gravity to the marionettes gravitationally, and with the resultant action of two or more stringing controls relative to each other or to anchoring expedients which may be so variably altered to provide a high degree of flexibility, a finished and versatile movement performance of intricate nature, such as ballet steps, movement about the stage to simulate walking, running, sitting, jumping, bowing, including movement on and off the stage, in a manner heretofore not achieved except by skilled live puppeteers.

,To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed buhreference'is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which- FIGURE liis aperspective view of an assemblyillustrating the invention;

V IGU EZJ 'a m a de to llu r t s of stringing; g V 7 FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic illustrations of details to illustrate stringing actuation to secure transverse movcment by resultant stringing components influencing the ,marionette;

FIGURE Qis a diagramrn atic perspective view illustrating a stringing assembly under the influence of manipulating leyers to show a plurality of movements-which may beimparted to the marionette;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective diagrammatic detail to illustrate a stringing manipulation by the resultant.cp m

ponents of lever actuation in relation to each other and to fixed anchoring means;

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view illus ,FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view. for a stringing control where the ,resultant'components are an anchored and gravitational slack take-uplanchortbar;

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic-illustration.of stringing control .for. effecting a resultantv component under the in fluence of manipulative strings toeach other and foamchor strings for securing another body manipulation FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic illustration ,of the stringingassembly forsecuringa simulation of lifting of one object in relation to another.

:Reference is made to the drawing wherein an automatic puppeteering assemblyl ll is shown comprising a skeleton frame having a base 11, from which vertical and rear, to leaveonly the curtain controlledfront open for viewing below the anchor frame fr ont bar 17, the

area 15,above the anchor frame 14 being devoted to mounting and suspending mecha nical actuating mecha nism, and which may comprise a motor un it;18 which,

through appropriate gear reduction transmission 19, is

arranged torotate. a time controlled camshaft 20 extending across the Width of the head frame and over ;the width of ,thestage. .16between the bearing blocks gland .The electric motor 18 ,may be actuated by a switch or cyclically by time controlled switch controlling mechanism, the details whereof will be readily apparen to secure a cycle ofmovement intermittently, of predetermined duration. i

The camshaft 20 is provided with a plurality of cams 23, in number and position as .will appear hereafter. Each of the cams 23, haspositioned with relation thereto f01low,ers 24, extending from adjacentlypositioned levers H 2 5 may have its terminal portions 27 coupled .to a ma- ,mpulating string 28. i

25 piyoted on the lever shaft'ff26. Each of' thelevers Each of the cams is so shaped, as determined empirically, to give to the levers a displacement factor in lifting or lowering in relation to the gravitational influence of the figurine to which the string 28, at a terminal portion 29 or otherwise, is affixed. It will be understood that the cam outlines and the fulcrum point of the levers on the pivot shaft 26 may take on so many variables in determining time and displacement of movement that the design thereof for effecting difierent magnitudes of movement will now become clear.

While in live puppeteering, bodily transposition of the figures is possible upstage, downstage and crosswise against the gravitational influence of the figurines, or of the movable elements of the figures to each other, there is known prior procedure for automatic puppeteering which secures the new effect wherein three dimensional movement is accomplished.

Accordingly, in the invention, stringing is effected to secure not only direct motion transmission, but resultant transmission of one stringing component to another stringing component upon the figurine, preferably as secured by stringing components which will now be described in progressive degree of complexity, which may be used in a general assembly as described in FIG- URE 1.

Referring to FIGURE 2, there is shown diagrammatically the fragment of the cam shaft 20, with cams 23a and 23b positioned to activate the followers 24a and 24b, and illustrative lever arms 25a and 25b, from which strinks 28a and 28b are extended to a point such as the head of the marionette M. By an angular disposition of the lever arms 25a and 25b to each other, a movement of the cams 23a and 23b to relax the levers 25a while raising the lever 25b to the position shown in dotted lines will cause the marionette M to be under the influence of the resultant of the stringing movements and move the puppet horizontally in the direction of the arrows. If both levers are raised or lowered together, there will be only vertical motion, or if moved in other relationship to each other, tilting, swinging and even turning can be effected.

In FIGURE 3, a plan view is shown of the levers 25a and 25b. By coordinated relationship of these levers to each other and upon the strings 28a and 28b running therefrom to the marionette M, the latter will be moved diagonally back and forth on the stage, as indicated by the dotted lines.

In FIGURE 4, a selection of levers 25c and 25d in tandem is shown, the forward one having its maximum displacement toward the rear of the stage and the latter its maximum displacement toward the front of the stage, with strings from the terminal portions 27c and 27d of the puppet (not shown), the puppet being moved from backstage to front stage and vice versa by the resultant of a slackening of one lever and a lifting of the other lever.

In FIGURE there is exemplified an arrangement with four levers 25c, 25 25g and 25h. Levers 25c and 25g are set up in tandem back and front on the left of the stage; levers 251 and 25h are set up in tandem back and front on the right side of the stage. From each of the terminal ends, or at an intermediate point in accordance with the magnitude of displacement desired, stringing is extended to the puppet (not shown). The dotted lines show some of the directional motions which can be accomplished by combining the angular displacement and movements of the levers to each other, enabling the puppet to be moved anywhere on the stage, with a change in direction in the horizontal by reason of the component of two stringing forces on the puppet.

In FIGURE 6 there is exemplified the means of effecting a more complex movement and for this purpose the pivot shaft 26 is exemplified as having a series of levers 251, 25 25k, 251, 25m and 25n. From the lever 25: there is extended a string 28f; from lever 25 a pair of strings 28j; from lever 25k, a string 28k; from lever 251, a string 281; from lever 25m, a pair of strings 28m; from lever 2521, a string 28n.

In the illustration, string 28i terminates along the string 2811; strings 28j are each terminated along the length of the strings 28m. The other strings described may terminate upon the puppet M. It will be seen that as the lever 251 pulls the puppet M to the right, lever 25k lowering in compensating release of its string, the lever 25m is pulling on two shoulder strings 28m. Lever 2512, at the same time, is pulling on string 2811 to the knee of the puppet M, to make one leg move in walking motion to the right. As the puppet approaches the right side of the stage, lever 25m is raised higher and lever 251' is lowered, to keep the walking motion uniform. It will be understood that by a variation it is possible to make big steps, small steps or speed up the horizontal motion, as desired.

Assuming that it is desired to turn the puppet and have it walk to the left, lever 25] is started to its lowering posi tion, raising lever 25k and simultaneously lowering lever 25m and raising lever 25 It will be observed that the stringing branches from the shoulder strings on lever 25m at the point of connection along the length of the strings 28m are thus given a compensatory movement by the levers and the marionette is now turned to face left and move in that direction. It may be turned back to the right by reversing the procedure.

It will be seen that by the resultant movement of strings upon each other to the figurine and the relationship of the strings in their attachment to the limbs of the puppet, varied walking or running motion can be imparted, movement of the arms, waist, head, in relation to the body being effected to simulate animation, all of which may be accomplished predeterminedly.

In order to simplify and minimize the number of actuating levers, I may, as described, manipulate the stringing movement of the actuating levers in relation to anchored strings also connected to the marionette means, and depend upon the eccentric location of the terminal portions of the anchoring strings to secure advantageous transverse movement horizontally in a plurality of directions In FIGURE 7, the relationship of the pivot shaft 26 to the anchor frame 14 is illustrated. In this construction, a pair of levers, such as 25a and 25b, are provided with strings 28a and 28b, as in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2. In this embodiment, anchor strings 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d and 172 are static strings, in relation to which the strings 28a and 28b are active components. The marionette M in this assembly is animated by the movement of the levers 25a and 25b in relation to the static but tensioning strings 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d and 17a. A wide variety of relative movement of the limbs to the body of the marionette is thereby secured, For example, as the marionette is given a movement to the left by the composite eifect of the strings 28a and 285, the arms and limbs are anchored by the strings 17a and 17d and 17e, giving a resultant movement to the body of the marionette in a lifting direction, such as would be be involved in seating the marionette M.

In FIGURE 8 there is exemplified how a simple walking motion may be transmitted to the puppet M. In this example, the pivot shaft 26 has a lever 25a coupled with a string 28a for activating the knee of the puppet. A string 17 is extended at one end to the anchor frame at the front bar 17 and at the other end to the knee of the puppet. Actuation is effected at the intermediate point 17g to which the string 28a is connected. When the lever 25a is raised to pull the string 28a, it does so in relation to the string 17 and thereby this latter lifts the leg from the vertical toward the left front of the stage because of the limiting movement which the anchor string 17f exerts to the upward pull of the string 28a.

While there has been exemplified in the foregoing embodiment the manner in which stringing influence is the result of a plurality of components, one or more of which may be a string extended to the anchor frame, the effectiveness of this latter component may be further altered so that when it is inactive and hangs slack, the slack may be taken up or--its influence yieldably exerted. For

this purpose reference is made to FIGURE 9 wherein the marionette M, apart from the lever actuated strings 28 which may be employed as in the prior embodiment, may be provided with a limb actuating string 17h, anchored to the front bar 17. Intermediate the length of the string 17h there is aflixed a resilient anchoring string 17i by afiixing one end to a free hanging lever 17j. This lever is sufliciently free-pivoting to let out the slack of the string 17h when the marionette moves to the left but is of suflicient weight to take up the slack as the marionette moves to the right. This arrangement permits of an elaborate set-up of a performance on the stage, with a large variety of motions possible with a great number of strings, assuring however that the strings are kept neatly in position, yet are promptly responsive to activity of the actuating component on other strings under the influence of the motorized actuating means. While there has been described a slack take-up component in the nature of a free hanging anchor bar, it will be understood that weights along the anchor strings 17h may be substituted.

In another embodiment, where it is desired to restrict the number of actuating levers, the anchor strings need not be aflixed to the anchor bar but may be aflixed to other portions of the stage and supports thereof. Additionally, such anchors may be employed to release tension as well as to add the component of tension. Such form of anchoring for the strings is illustrated in FIGURE 10 wherein the marionette M has its components, such as the head, under the influence of an anchoring string 17k attached to the anchoring frame front bar 17 and also under the influence of the actuating string 280, actuated by the actuating lever 250. Intermediate the length of the string 280 there may be interposed a resilient anchor spring 28p, the opposed end of which is affixed to the anchor frame front bar 17. At another intermediate portion of the string, an anchor string 171 is interposed and aflixed to the floor. This set-up exemplifies the actuating influence of an actuating string and resilient strings to each other and to the marionette. When the lever 250 is low, the spring 28p holds the head string 230 taut. When the lever 250 is raised, it will be seen that here is a downward and slightly sidewise pull on the spring 28p, which will cause the string 280 to slacken. This will cause the string 280 running to the anchor to hang taut, holding its side of the head to which the string is atfixed, while the other side of the head slackens. This will then throw the head off balance, to give the effect of tilting.

Another example of the use of anchor strings on different portions of the stage, as well as with respect to the anchor bar, is shown in FIGURE 11 where the marionette may serve to give the illustion of lifting an object. This effect is accomplished under the action of an actuating string 28: extending from an actuating lever 25g which is aflixed to a prop which, in this particular case, is a vase 30, after being threaded through eyelets 31 on the hands of the marionette M. Another strings 17m extend from the anchor frame front bar 17, through the vase 30, and are affixed to a stage prop 32. When the actuating lever 25: is predeterminedly moved by the motorized unit, the initial movement will tend to bring the arms of the marionette to the vase 30. Continued movement against the gravitational influence of the vase itself will raise the vase and the more closely drawn together hands, to give the eifect of the marionette lifting the vase.

This relative resultant movement of a lever actuated string to an anchor string may serve to produce a variety of off stage animated eflects, as shown in FIGURE 1 where lever actuated strings 28r to the marionettes MA influence the movement of these staging components where, in the exemplified form, guards are illustrated having spears 33, the terminal ends of which are provided with anchor strings 17r running to the floor of the bracket in the oif stage position. As the shoulders of the marionettes MA are lifted by a lever actuated string, the

spears are tiltedupward to the position of attention .by the anchoring influence of the anchor string 17r.

Other features as a result of combining with the gravitational influence of the marionette string coupling, of actuating meansv or a plurality thereof and a transverse component, such as another mechanically actuated string or anchor string, may result in securing transverse movement for horizontal displacement obliquely or pivotally, to transpose mere mechanical vertical movement of the actuating members to transverse horizontal movement, widthwise or crosswise of the stage.

'It will be understood that in FIGURE 1 the general assembly is shown without endeavoring specifically to correlate ench of the marionettes there shown with the corresponding actuating strings or anchor strings, the combination being intended to illustrate the assembly which may utilize one or more of the expedients referred to in connection with details in FIGURES 2 to 11.

There is also shown in FIGURE 1 a rotatable shaft 34, carrying a plurality of dampers 35, which may be manually pressed against one or more of the levers 25, to dampen their free movement. This may be found desirable for transportation of the puppeteering assembly.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is- 1. In an automatic puppeteering assembly including a fixed support having motorized means and a plurality of spaced-apart actuating means cyclically operated by said motorized means to impart spacial displacement of predetermined magnitude in timed relation to each other only in a vertical plane, the combination therewith of marionette means, a plurality of strings coupled to said marionette means, at least one of said strings being coupled to said actuating means and other strings being coupled to anchoring means on said fixed support to impart movement to the marionette means by the resultant component of the strings, whereby gravitational resistance of the marionette means to the components of movement of the strings imparts relative horizontal displacement to the marionette means.

2. In an automatic puppeteering assembly having a frame, a stage, motorized means over said stage, a plurality of spaced-apart actuating lever means, each confined in a vertical plane of movement supported over said stage, cam means cyclically operated for actuating said lever means in accordance with a predetermined pattern of movement in timed relation in a vertical plane, an anchoring frame over said stage, the combination therewith of marionette means having strings coupled to said lever means and anchor means whereby to impart the resultant component of the conjoint movement of said actuating lever means in relation to said anchoring means to the gravitational resistance of the marionette means to said lever means and anchoring means, thereby to transmit relative horizontal movement to said marionette means.

3. In an automatic puppeteen'ng assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said strings joined to said anchoring means are weighted.

4. In an automatic puppeteering assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said strings joined to said anchoring means are resiliently weighted.

5. In an automatic puppeteering assembly having motorized means and a plurality of actuating means in spaced-apart vertical planes cyclically operable thereby, each to impart in each respective plane vertical spacial displacement of predetermined magnitude in cyclically timed relation to relatively fixed anchoring means, the combination therewith of marionette means gravitationally supported by a plurality of string means, at least References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Paull June 17, 1941 Whitcomb Oct. 9, 1951 Ueltschi Oct. 28, 1952 Williams Nov. 3, 1959 

